Rally presses case to keep Memorial Hospital site operating

SUDBURY, ON, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - Community members, physicians and hospital staff will rally at noon today at Memorial Hospital* (Sudbury Regional Hospital) to demand that the site continue to operate.

"The 120 beds at Memorial cannot be absorbed in Sudbury without jumping over people who have waited years for a nursing home bed," says Dave Shelefontiuk, president of CUPE Local 1623 which represents employees of the Sudbury Regional Hospital. "We believe that the plan is to jump the queue and to move people to communities far away from Sudbury, poorly served by public transit. If this happens, families won't be able to visit as often and we know that the isolation will result in the premature death of many of these patients."

Today's rally is the second in two weeks. A postcard, community campaign and a town hall meeting are planned.

"We are calling on Mr. Bartolucci, our cabinet minister in the provincial government to use his clout to save these beds.  He needs to come through for Sudbury's seniors," says Mr. Shelefontiuk.

* Memorial site: 865 Regent Street South, Sudbury

For further information:

Dave Shelefontiuk, president, CUPE Local 1623: 705-929-8457